Support your local schools

As author Thomas Friedman recently noted, the United States has “historically ensured our workforce kept up by steadily expanding public education.” Education has always been the avenue by which individuals and societies improve. From the Morrill Land Grant Act that created our public universities to state constitutions that guaranteed a free and public education, education is the key to American achievement. However, that standard, the foundation of highly developed societies, is at risk. Caught in a whirlwind of political infighting, ideological battles, and fiscal challenges, public schools are facing an unprecedented retraction. Budgets are being cut, and schools are taking the hits.

From JeffCo to Denver to Cherry Creek, schools face fiscal crisis. In the past four years, schools have seen budgets slashed by tens of millions of dollars. Thus, schools aren’t going to voters simply because they want more money. They have no choice. School boards aren’t reaching out to communities because they want to but because they have to. After several years of statewide budget cuts, schools are operating far below necessary budgets, and many have had to deplete funds and cut programs. The Cherry Creek School District, for example, has seen an expanding student population at the same time it’s operating on $40 million dollars less than several years ago. Voters should keep one thing in mind when evaluating education initiatives – no nation or state or community has ever improved the lives of its people by cutting its education budget. No education system has ever cut budgets and seen improved results.

That does not, however, mean voters should continually write blank checks to schools. Voters should certainly demand accountability. In fact, we have. From Senate Bill 191 to the adoption of Common Core to a thriving commitment to charter schools and reform, Colorado has taken the lead on accountability. But the goal should be to hold schools accountable without holding them hostage. For struggling schools, the idea is to reform them but not economically strangle them. Education initiatives in Colorado are not blank checks. They are grounded in greater accountability for students and teachers – and every tax dollar will be accounted for. Since moving to Colorado, I’ve learned valuable lessons about school budgets and community commitment to education. In Cherry Creek where I live, the community gets great results because they support their schools. And they support their schools because they get great results. It’s a symbiotic relationship.

Amidst the criticism of public education these days there is much misperception. For example, while Gallup polls show faith in public education at its lowest point in decades, the same poll reveals that 75 percent of Americans are happy with their own child’s school. And 85 percent of Americans are happy with their own education. And that’s because a majority of schools are providing a high quality and world-class education. If you don’t believe me, stop by an AP Calculus class at your local school. Many students are accomplishing more in high school than most of us did in college. And it’s important for voters to understand their schools. So before making a snap decision about 3A/3B, visit a school or a school board meeting. Stop by your schools or ask your neighbor’s kids about their experience.

A common criticism of public education is that America is falling behind the rest of the world – but the situation is more complicated. When correcting for high poverty schools above 25 percent, America’s tests scores actually lead the world. In reality, our problem has always been in educating the poorest members of society, and schools have failed them in the past. But Colorado is making great strides in this area. From a thriving charter school movement in Denver to new STEM programs in Cherry Creek to a successful concurrent enrollment program in JeffCo, education is improving at all levels in the state.

Yet, even as schools improve to meet the needs of the community, financial challenges weaken their efforts. Whether it’s expanding student populations requiring new wings on schools, or aging security systems that need upgrades for the twenty-first century, schools need support to continue serving the public. And, because those needs are no longer funded by the state and federal government, schools are turning to their communities. Voters should seek legitimate answers about the quality and funding of their schools.

And, then support education initiatives. Vote yes on school budgets and bonds.

And be true to your school.

Michael P. Mazenko (mmazenko@hotmail.com) is an English teacher at Cherry Creek High School.

Vincent Carroll is The Denver Post's editorial page editor. He has been writing commentary on politics and public policy in Colorado since 1982 and was originally with the Rocky Mountain News, where he was also editor of the editorial pages until that newspaper gave up the ghost in 2009.

Guidelines: The Post welcomes letters up to 150 words on topics of general interest. Letters must include full name, home address, day and evening phone numbers, and may be edited for length, grammar and accuracy.

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